The points of issue
True first issued in red cloth. Identify by the explicit 'First Printing' statement on the copyright page, with no later-printing line. Shaw's third novel, 339 pages.
Is this the true first?
US Random House (1956) is the true first; Jonathan Cape issued the first UK edition the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A Book-of-the-Month Club edition exists; it lacks the stated 'First Printing' and typically shows a blind-stamped board indent, so it is distinguishable from the trade first.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Lucy Crown a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: True first issued in red cloth. Identify by the explicit 'First Printing' statement on the copyright page, with no later-printing line. Shaw's third novel, 339 pages.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US Random House (1956) is the true first; Jonathan Cape issued the first UK edition the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A Book-of-the-Month Club edition exists; it lacks the stated 'First Printing' and typically shows a blind-stamped board indent, so it is distinguishable from the trade first.
I have a first edition of Lucy Crown — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.